Victory Tasie can finally breathe a sigh of relief after Judge Abiola Soladoye overturned his conviction for rape. The 23-year-old had been imprisoned for two years based on accusations that he violated his 19-year-old girlfriend in 2016 when she was 16.
However, the 23-year-old testified in court that Tasie was consensually intimate with her at 19, contradicting the prosecution’s claims. She also affirmed the defendant as her boyfriend at the time. After successful arguments by Mrs. Rukayat Owolabi that the state failed to furnish corroborating evidence, the judge dismissed the case.
As the sole witness was unable to validate allegations, Tasie was released without presenting a defense as mandated by law. The ruling brings to question the integrity of evidence used to keep an innocent man behind bars for so long. While rape is a serious offense, due diligence is key to avoiding wrongful imprisonment which devastates lives.
Going forward, this judgment reaffirms that accusations alone cannot supersede factual proofs and constitutional rights to fair hearing. We hope greater diligence and caution is exercised to avoid similar injustices stemming from flimsy prosecution. For now, Mr. Tasie can begin rebuilding after the system unjustly deprived him of his freedom for two long years.
